Mansour is a popular musician in Iran, getting millions of views on YouTube. He has a special connection with Kurds, singing some Kurdish songs and developing art programs in the Kurdistan Region.
Living outside of Iran and producing his last album abroad, he is unable to legally sell it in his homeland. To allow his fellow Iranians to hear his music, he made his album freely available on Telegram and asked his fans to make charitable donations to child cancer charity Mahak.
You released an album of songs two weeks ago. Could you talk about it in detail?
Yes, I worked on the album for three years. It consists of 11 tracks and I released them two weeks ago through social media accounts. The album contains love and happy songs. I fulfilled the demand of my fans. I hope they like it. Thanks be to God, the album has been well received so far.
The name of the album is ‘Radical.’ Why radical?
This is the name of one of the tracks. This term, according to the poet of the text, has a mathematical meaning. But I have used as per its original English meaning something drastic.
How did you fans receive your album in Iran?
Releasing an album at this time is not easy. People are more interested in individual songs. Albums produced outside Iran are not permitted to be released in the country. So, the people are unable to obtain the albums in a legal way. But with this album, I wanted to aid a charity. I asked my fans in Iran to help a charitable organization named Mahak in Iran and that I would publish my album for free on my Telegram page in return. People warmly welcomed this idea.
Did that not make problems for the Mahak organization?
Iranian media outlets in their reports denounced my work as very bad and accused the organization of working against the Islamic Republic of Iran. They also accused me of having cases in Iranian courts and running away. These sick people, unfortunately, think in this way.
You left Iran when you were 14. Is there any memory that you never forget?
My memories in Iran are largely associated with our home, school or corporal punishments by my teachers. I still remember two times I was punished. As you know, a lot of years have passed since. I have lived out of Iran for 32 years. I still remember the Newroz festivals and there is nothing more I could remember.
Together with Jamshid, you sang Kurdish songs a while back. Do you intend to sing more Kurdish songs?
Yes, with Mr. Jamshid we sang together a Kurdish song and it was welcomed very well. I have now plans to sing another Kurdish song titled ‘Thank you Peshmerga’. It will be released in the next two months.
You often visit the Kurdistan Region. What’s the purpose of these visits?
It is said that Mansour is busy doing business in Kurdistan?
Yes, I am doing art business. Together with some friends, we have set up a music group. We intend to carry out many music plans and hold many happy programs. I will have plans to hold some art festivals in Kurdistan when the airports are opened and normal life has returned.
Last question, I would love to ask your opinion about the independence bid by the Kurdistan Region?
The unity I saw on the day of the referendum was very special. The whole world heard the call for independence from the people of Kurdistan. But we have to know that the Region has its special political circumstances. In my opinion, it was very successful and the whole world knows that, too.
Living outside of Iran and producing his last album abroad, he is unable to legally sell it in his homeland. To allow his fellow Iranians to hear his music, he made his album freely available on Telegram and asked his fans to make charitable donations to child cancer charity Mahak.
You released an album of songs two weeks ago. Could you talk about it in detail?
Yes, I worked on the album for three years. It consists of 11 tracks and I released them two weeks ago through social media accounts. The album contains love and happy songs. I fulfilled the demand of my fans. I hope they like it. Thanks be to God, the album has been well received so far.
The name of the album is ‘Radical.’ Why radical?
This is the name of one of the tracks. This term, according to the poet of the text, has a mathematical meaning. But I have used as per its original English meaning something drastic.
How did you fans receive your album in Iran?
Releasing an album at this time is not easy. People are more interested in individual songs. Albums produced outside Iran are not permitted to be released in the country. So, the people are unable to obtain the albums in a legal way. But with this album, I wanted to aid a charity. I asked my fans in Iran to help a charitable organization named Mahak in Iran and that I would publish my album for free on my Telegram page in return. People warmly welcomed this idea.
Did that not make problems for the Mahak organization?
Iranian media outlets in their reports denounced my work as very bad and accused the organization of working against the Islamic Republic of Iran. They also accused me of having cases in Iranian courts and running away. These sick people, unfortunately, think in this way.
You left Iran when you were 14. Is there any memory that you never forget?
My memories in Iran are largely associated with our home, school or corporal punishments by my teachers. I still remember two times I was punished. As you know, a lot of years have passed since. I have lived out of Iran for 32 years. I still remember the Newroz festivals and there is nothing more I could remember.
Together with Jamshid, you sang Kurdish songs a while back. Do you intend to sing more Kurdish songs?
Yes, with Mr. Jamshid we sang together a Kurdish song and it was welcomed very well. I have now plans to sing another Kurdish song titled ‘Thank you Peshmerga’. It will be released in the next two months.
You often visit the Kurdistan Region. What’s the purpose of these visits?
I have been visiting the Kurdistan Region since I held a concert there in 2012. A lot of love grew in me towards Kurdistan. This is in addition to our cultural closeness. Thus, I feel like Kurdistan is my second home.
It is said that Mansour is busy doing business in Kurdistan?
Yes, I am doing art business. Together with some friends, we have set up a music group. We intend to carry out many music plans and hold many happy programs. I will have plans to hold some art festivals in Kurdistan when the airports are opened and normal life has returned.
Last question, I would love to ask your opinion about the independence bid by the Kurdistan Region?
The unity I saw on the day of the referendum was very special. The whole world heard the call for independence from the people of Kurdistan. But we have to know that the Region has its special political circumstances. In my opinion, it was very successful and the whole world knows that, too.
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment